EXTRACT FROM THE CATALOGUE OF THE CRUIKSHANK EXHIBITION.
"Having been engaged by Mr. Prowett, the publisher, to give the various scenes represented in the street performances of 'Punch and Judy,' I obtained the address of the Proprietor and Performer of that popular Exhibition. He was an elderly Italian, of the name of Piccini, whom I remembered from boyhood, and he lived at a low public-house, the sign of 'The King's Arms,' in the 'Coalyard,' 'Drury Lane.' Having made arrangements for a 'Morning Performance,' one of the window-frames on the first floor of the public-house was taken out, and the stand or Punch's Theatre was hauled into the 'Club-room.' Mr. Payne Collier (who was to write the description), the publisher, and myself, formed the audience; and as the performance went on, I stopped it at the most interesting parts to sketch the Figures, whilst Mr. Collier noted down the dialogue; and thus the whole is a faithful copy and description of the various scenes represented by this Italian, whose performance of 'Punch' was far superior in every respect to anything of the sort to be seen at the present day. The figure whose neck he used to stretch to such a great height, was a sort of interlude. Piccini made the figure take off his hat with one hand—which he defied all other puppet-show performers to do. Piccini announced the approach of Punch by sound of trumpet.
